Union warns of more post strikes

Post Office union leaders today warned they will order more strikes across London if next Wednesday's 24-hour stoppage fails to force Royal Mail to concede to their pay demand.

Asked if the union is prepared to order a series of one-day stoppages after next week's action, Norman Candy, a senior Communication Workers Union (CWU) London divisional representative, warned: "It might be more than that" - a clear indication the union is now prepared to increase its campaign.

Mr Candy said the effect would be felt across the UK because one third of all postal traffic is routed through London. The backlog of post could also take several days to clear.

All services will be hit with the exception of Parcelforce.

The union wants London weighting raised to £4,000 across the capital.

Last week postal workers across Britain narrowly rejected a strike call over pay. The CWU, at the same time, conducted a second ballot among 28,000 members in the capital over London weighting. They voted 11,417 in favour of action with 4,316 against.

Royal Mail chief Adam Crozier said: "A strike won't generate more money. It will do exactly the opposite."